Pocket-knife



(No M'ooQleL l G, W. MILLER.

'POCKET KNIFE. l N0.s'1-2,32.1. PatentedNov. 1', 1887,.

N. PETERS. PIwko-Lhhogmphsr, Wzlhlngkm'. D. C.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.J

GEORGE W. MILLER, OF MERIDEN, CONNECTICUT.

POCKET-KNIFE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 372,321, dated November l, 1887.

Application filed May 7, 1887. Selial No. 237,413.

To all whom, it may concern.:

Beit known that I, GEORGE V. MILLER, residing at Meriden, in the county of New Haven and State of Connecticut, have invented certain. new and useful Improvements in Pocket- Knives; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form apart of this specification.

My invention relates to an improvement in pocket-knives, the object being to produce an varticle of simple andcheap construction, at-

traetive appearance, and durability and efficiency in use.

With these ends in view my invention consists in a knife having a folded sheet-metal frame having an enlargement form-ingits back.

My invention further consists in a knife having a folded sheet-metal frame having its back transversely slotted at one end and a spring bent at one end to enter such slot.

My invention 'further consists in a knife having a folded sheet metal frame having an enlargement forming its back and inclosing a chamber ofgreater width than the blade-chamber, and a spring loeatedin such enlargement and enlarged at one end to engage-with the walls thereof, whereby it is kept out of the blade chamber.

My invention further consists in a knife having certain details of construction and combinations of parts, as will be hereinafter described, and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a view in side elevation of one form which a knife embodying my invention may assume. Fig. 2 is a view thereof in central longitudinal section. Fig. 3 is a view in transverse section through the slotted end of the frame. Fig. et is a similar view taken through the enlarged free end of the spring. Fig. 5 isa detached plan View of the spring, and Fig. 6 is a similar view thereof in side elevation.

The knife-frame is made of sheet metal, folded to form parallel sides A A, inclosing the knife chamber or sheath B, and an enlargement, C, forming the back of the frame, projecting beyond the sides thereof and inclosing a spring-chamber, D, which will always be of greater width than the blade chamber, although the enlargement may be other than (No model.)

circular in shape, as it is herein shown. At the butt or heel end of the frame the enlargement is provided with a transverse slot, E. Slightly forward of this point the sides A A are provided with pivot-holes F F, as shown.

The spring G is curved longitudinally and bent at a right angle at one end to form the lug H, 1which enters the slot E aforesaid. At its free end the spring is flattened to form the guard I, which engages with the walls of the enlargement C and prevents the' spring from lifting into the blade-chamber,which, as aforesaid, is narrower than the spring-chamber.

The knife-blade J is of any approved make and style, and secured in place by a pivot, K, passing through the holes F F, with its heel engaging'with the spring at a point in line with the bent end II thereof.

The enlargement of the frame, as described,

not only provides a chamber for the reception and protection of the spring,but greatly stii'ens the frame, besides giving it the bulk required to make it convenient and pleasant to the hand in use.

By transversely slotting the frame and bending the end of the spring to enter lsuch slot a simple mode of securing the spring against endwise play is secured, with the additional advantage that the bent end of the spring prevents the access of foreign matter under its main portion. The guard at the other end of the spring engages with the walls of the springchamber and holds the spring in place and away from the knife-blade. Under my construction, also, the spring is so far left free that its greatest resilient effect is secured.

It is apparent that I am not limited to the construction shown and described herein. Thus I may provide the knife with two or more blades actuated by one or more springs. I would, therefore, have it understood, that I do not limit myself to the exact construction and arrangement of parts herein shown and described, but hold myself at liberty to make such changes and alterations as fairly fall within the spirit and scope of my invention.

Having fully described my invention, whatI claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

I. A pocket-knife provided with a folded sheet-metal frame. having a hollow enlarge- IOO ment projecting beyond its sides and forming its back, substantially as set forth.

2. A pocket-knife provided with a folded sheet-metal frame having a hollow enlargement forming its back and provided at one end of sneh back with a transverse slot7 and a spring located in such enlargement and bcnt at one end to enter such Slot, Substantially as set forth.

3. A poeketlinife provided with a folded sheet-1netal franie having an enlargement formingits back and inelosing a chamber of greater width than its blade-chamber, and a spring located in such enlargement and having its free end enlarged to engage with the walls thereof, whereby it is held ont of the bladeehanlberand away from Contact with the blade, substantially as set forth.

4. A poekctknil'e having a sheet metal frame provided with a circular enlargement forming its back and transversely slotted at one end, and a spring bent at one end to enter such slot and enlarged at the other en d to e11- gage with the walls of such enlargement, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereofI havesigned this specieation in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

GEORGE XV. MILLE \Vitnesses:

Giras. B. SHUMWAY, WILLIAM C. MUELLER. 

